Automatic fire-sprinkler



(No Model.) I

W. NERAGHER.

AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER. No. 388,905. Patented'Sept. 4., 1888..

. "mam mum wlll l llllilfll l UNITED STATES l/VlLLlAM NERAOHER,

PATENT Orricn.

OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

AUTOMATiC FIRE-SPRINKLER.

EFECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 388,905, dated September 4: 1888.

Application filed September 6, 1887. Serial No. 248,935. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM NERAOHER, of Cleveland, in the county of Guyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Fire-Sprinklers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to automatic sprinklers of that class which are attached to permanent pipes located in the building to be protected, and provided with releasing devices operated by theheatin excess of the normal temperature.

It consists of the devices and combination of devices hereinafter explained.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents the distributor or spraying devices and the valve-releasing devices, with the valvein place, attached to the nozzle in side elevation. Fig. 2 shows the same onequarter turned from the position of Fig. 1, and with the valve and valve-releasiug devices removed. Fig. 3 shows the apparatus in the same position of Fig. 2 and the releasing devices in place. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the valve. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the upper face of the distributor or spraying devices. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same.

In the drawings, Q represents the end of the nozzle of the dischargepipe, and P the frame, which is attached to the nozzle. The valve which closes the nozzle is shown at Gr, and is adapted to close the end thereof and to be pressed tightly against it by the devices hereinafter described. The under surface of this valve is formed with a recess, 0, in which the upper ends of spring-arms F rest when the valve is in place to close the pipe. These spring-arms are represented clearly in Fig. 1. They are bent so that the upper parts are inclined toward each other, while the lower parts, when in position to hold the valve in place, are approximately vertical. A fusible link connects the lower ends, as hereinafter explained. On theupper part of the springarms are collars or enlargements E, each of which has a shoulder, and on the inner side and against these shoulders braces D bear, their lower ends resting in rabbets or against a rib on the upper end of a post, R, located midway on the lower cross-bar of the frame, this post forming also the center of the distributor. In this sprinkler the valve serves only the purpose of closing the nozzle until the approach of the fire, and it does not actin any manner as a distributer or sprinkler. The construction therefore of the supporting and releasing devices is designed to allow the valve and all the parts connected therewith to'fall out of the way when the link is separated by the fusing of the solder. The construction and arrangement of the parts described secure this end.

The fusible link which holds the lower ends of the spring-arms together is shown in Fig. 1, at H. It is composed of two arms, h h, having openings at their outer ends adapted to he slipped over the ends of the springarms and held by notches on the outer edges of said springarms. The inner ends of the arms 7! It are united by a coupling, 9. This coupling is composed of two parts having flat portions and central depressed portions adapted to receive heads formed upon the inner ends of the arms h h. The Hat portions are joined together by the easily-fusible solder. The links hold the spring-arms F together under some tension, and when the parts are released by reason of the heat the said arms F, having no other support than the outwardly-inclined braces I), fall away from the valve 9 at once and allow it to drop, together with the arms]? and braces D, thus leaving the space between the discharge-nozzle and the distributor entirely unobstructed.

The distributor or spraying device 0 is supported on the lower partof the frame in aline with the mouth of the discharge-nozzle. It is made in the form or approximately in the form of a cone, having a hole in the center fitted to the post 1;, which projects into the hole when the distribnter is in place and practically forms the apex of the cone. The conical upper surface of the distributor is provided with curved or spiral ribs L, which form channels N, curved in form and increasing in width from the center to the circumference. Near the lower ends of these channels they are partially obstructed by short projections m, which extend from the ribs part way across the channels. By this construction the water falling from the nozzle directly down upon the center of the distributer is carried down the channels,

spreading out as it descends, and is partially 1 the arms F; but this is not essential.

discharged in a spirally-directed spray and partially turning upward and diffused by the short projections or obstructions m. Holes m are also formed in the distributer, which also break up the water.

The construction and arrangement described supports the spring arms after the manner of toggle-levers, the upper ends bearing against the under surface of the valve, and the lower ends secured by the link with the braces between to keep thearms extended, and thus great pressure is placed upon the valve.

It will be understood that these devices for supporting and automatically releasing the valve may be made of any suitable material, and may be varied in shape, provided they do not depart from the principle of the togglejoints. I have represented the distribnter as having a recess formed in its edge to receive The whole apparatus is attached to nozzles of a system of pipes suitably placed in a room in the manner well known to those skilled in the art.

The distributor maybe fixed permanently on the frame; but by makinga hole in its center, adapted to the post, it is securely held in place and may be readily removed for cleaning.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination, with the nozzle of the water-discharging pipe, of the frame P, the valve G, the spring arms F, directly support ing said valve, :1 fusible link connecting the ends thereof, a distributersupported upon the frame belowthe nozzle, and the braces D, ex tending between the post R and the springarms, all substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a fire-sprinkler, of a supply-pipe and valve therefor, of springarms for supporting the valve, collars E, se cured to said arms, a fusible connectionat their lower ends, a distributor supported in the frame, having a central opening, a post, R, fitting in said opening and provided with a central rib, and levers D, extending from said post to the collars on the spring arms, substantially as described.

3. In a fire-extinguisher, the combination, with the nozzle, of the supporting frame, the valve covering the nozzle, the spring-arms bearing against the valve, the fusible link con necting their lower ends, shoulders on said arms, a post supported from the lower part of the frame. and braces between said post and the shoulders on the spring-arms,snbstantially as described.

4. in a fire-extingu sher, a valve and suit ablefrmne, spring-arms held together at the lower ends by fusible connections supporting said valve, levers 11 between s rid arms and the frame, and a rim 0, formed upon the under side of the valve for retaining the arms against lateral displacement, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I havesigned my name to thisspecificatiou in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

\VILLIAM NERACHER.

Vitnesscs:

0. S. lNGALi.s, F. A. CUTLER. 

